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“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” While I understand the tone of this question, in that it displays a lack of trust in God, I can’t help but identify with Moses’ sense of amazement. Who are we to minister for an almighty God? The answer would be no one at all, if it weren’t for our Lord’s propensity for turning nothing into something for His own glory. It seems these sentiments have both a hint of humility and reluctance. Humility in that all Christians feel inadequate to represent Christ, reluctance in that Moses seems less than prepared to obey. As the instructions get more specific in the following verses we see a transition into almost argument with God. It seems Moses let his understanding of human limitations become a justification for faithlessness. This is a common tendency, and it would be wise for us to make ourselves aware of it as we are continually called to greater service for our Savior. We are not naturally inclined to do everything God may ask of us; if fact doing what is easy is usually not part of His plan. Still, we should remind ourselves of His faithfulness and power to equip us for every good work.

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Before we can take faithful action for God, a fervent devotion to Him, and an unwavering belief in His promises must be present in our hearts. When we observe the obedience of Abraham, we observe a man that first put his faith in God, being “fully persuaded” He would keep His word. The end result of this belief and obedience was God’s glory. Our Father’s will is that all His children bring Him glory through their loving devotion and fervent faith. When reading Abraham’s story today, we should praise God for His perfect character and determine to follow Abraham’s example. It should remind us that God will never let us down, and serve as an encouragement that, though sometimes difficult, following our Savior is not impossible. Circumstances can put us under pressure and tempt us to doubt, but our Lord is absolutely trustworthy and on our side!

“And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.” I really appreciate the way God becomes directly, physically involved with this conflict. It is the kind of action God often takes in a long season of obstacles. He seems to provide us with specific and visible signs of His guidance both to bless and reassure. We should choose to trust the Lord without such outward signs, still, He displays His affection and grace by granting them. It must have been amazing to see these mighty hailstones. They were an unmistakable sign of divine intervention on behalf of Israel. Not only did they encourage the Hebrews, they also made an indelible impression on the enemy of the day, and any potential future foes. These are the type of stories the critics dismiss as fiction or coincidence; don’t believe them. God is in the business of blessing His people with mighty, miraculous, and unusual acts. Not many are as dramatic as this one, but all affirm His unwavering faithfulness to His servants.

“And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” The wording of this verse has always intrigued me. It seems to be a typical encouragement to good works for those within the context, yet it adds the interesting term “for necessary uses”. This gives us the idea that our good works are indispensable in the advance of God’s Great Commission. They become important when those around us observe them, deducing that we have acted as a result of our commitment to Christ. I wonder how often we have refused to act upon God’s prompting to do something good. Perhaps at these moments we have not recognized the importance of practical, daily activities in accomplishing spiritual goals. Next time we consider resisting God’s call, we should remember this verse, and the indispensable usefulness of good works. How will the world know the character of our Savior if we fail to display it in our own lives?

“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is a magnificent description of a faithful, thorough, and effective ministry. Keeping nothing back is working systematically through scripture without skipping the difficult parts. Preaching of this kind is both public and private, to every man one encounters regardless of nationality or status in life. It keeps in mind at all times the message of the gospel, and encourages the hearer to turn from sin and embrace Christ. Sounds like Paul did a fairly good job! Men of God today should model their ministries on such an example. Instead, some look to polls, trends, fads, or gimmicks. I hope this is not our legacy of outreach. How sad it would be to have the outline for success spelled out, and yet miss it by wrapping ourselves in the methodology of the world. Let’s hold to the book, proclaim it everywhere we go, to anyone we meet, in faithfulness to its message and the Lord who delivered it. If we do, we can tell a similar story (with confidence) at the end of it all.

“And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” The message of Christ will be rejected by many. God does not hold us responsible for the decision of the hearer; He rather observes our faithfulness in the proclamation. Paul had not failed in his ministry to these Jews. His job was to make clear (in words) the Christ of the Bible, and represent (in deeds) the love of God. Paul was not indicating any loss of affection for Hebrews by turning his ministry toward Gentiles. He had simply done all he could to sound out the grace of God through Christ. I am certain Paul departed with much sorrow and sadness. Certainly every rejection of Christ should come with grief and regret; but it should also bring to mind the reality of individual soul liberty. God does not force men to embrace Him. We know that the Lord chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, and that He alone can provide the faith to be saved. At the same time there is an unknown place in time and space where the choosing of God and the free-will of man meet; no human can understand just exactly where (or how) that takes place. We ought to be faithful in preaching, committed in Christian living, and clothed in love for the world. The results of this effort are the responsibility of God alone.

“And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.” Men who are faithful to the Lord make good employees, and are often first to be promoted for their diligence. The attributes of a Godly person are even recognized by the lost, especially in the context of business. Hard work, attention to detail, obedience and loyalty are traits all employers are looking for, and traits every believer should develop. Let us not fail to also acknowledge God’s direction. Joseph had certainly displayed righteous character, but it was also true that the Lord had a purpose in mind for him. No one will ever know what may have happened if Joseph had not been sold into slavery. What we do know is that God used this man’s character in the midst of the slavery to prosper him. If we seek to build character simply for the sake of success, we may well be disappointed. Let us rather seek to please our Savior by joyfully following any path He sets before us.

“And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.” God does not forget His promises. While we are often in need of a reminder, God never lets anything slip His mind. I think we sometimes read a promise in scripture, affirming it intellectually as a fact, but not really believing it. That is why we often lack the faith to turn the difficult things over to God. I suppose a man that is informed by God that kings will be numbered among his offspring might let a moment of doubt enter in. That doubt is from the flesh; because we know God is perfectly trustworthy in all things. God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is still valid, and though much of it has been fulfilled, there is still more to come. The land belongs to Israel, and we can be absolutely certain they will have it. If we consider God’s character when examining a promise, we should have no difficulty fully believing it. All that our Lord says we can count on, so let’s embrace His word without even a momentary doubt!